UHV names Student Senate leader

Emily Bergstrom, an All-American softball pitcher for the University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars, will bring her leadership to an off-the-field arena when she leads the 2011-12 UHV Student Senate.

Bergstrom, an El Campo native and senior biology major, was named president during the recent Student Senate elections. She also will serve as the student representative on the UHV President's Cabinet.

Her Jaguars teammate, Bre'Neka "Shorty" O'Bryant of Huntsville, was elected vice president. Victoria native Ashley Kellis-Carr will be secretary, and the 2010-2011 president, Paige Ruschhaupt of Victoria, who is now a counseling graduate student, will stay on as treasurer.

All three served on the Student Senate last year.

"We had a lot of great ideas for projects last year that the Senate members couldn't fit into our crazy schedules," Bergstrom said. "A few good community service projects we plan to do are Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-a-Highway, as well as the campus events like the Giving Tree, Finals Food and a welcome back celebration for all the students."

At-large members representing the University of Houston System at Sugar Land and the UH System at Cinco Ranch will be named after the school term begins. Non-voting freshman committee members also will be added to the Senate roster at that time.

The UHV Student Senate serves as liaison between students and the university's administration. It also enhances the student environment by sponsoring and promoting participation in student activities.

Thomas Cox, an assistant professor in the UHV School of Education & Human Development, will serve as adviser.